Overview
The region is blessed with an array of alpine valleys, historical monasteries and blanketed by the high-altitude dwarf bamboos. Bright-red roofed Trongsa Dzong which is the beguiling ancestral home of the royal family and the enchanting beauty of Bhumtang, Gangtey and Trongsa are the eye catchers. Thimphu is the capital city of Bhutan and is known for its spectacular scenery and rich culture. It is also the largest city in the country.
Itinerary
Arrive at Bagdogra airport. You will be met with your chauffeur at parking and you will be transferred to Phuentsholing. Evening will be at leisure. Overnight stay in Phuentsholing.
Have breakfast at the hotel. After that you will be transferred to Thimphu. Check into the hotel. Later proceed to visit the below places. En route visit Gedu Town & experience some roadside waterfalls.
En-route we will stop over Chuzom , the meeting point of two rivers. The two rivers on the left is Pachu(Paro) coming from the glacier of Mountain Jomolhari(7314m-24,000 feet above sea level. On the right, Wangchu comes from Thimphu valley. We can see four different types of stupas; Nepali type of stupa, Rigsum Gompo, Tibetan type of stupa and Bhutanese style stupa built in the 1960s. The order to build stupa is done by Third King Jigme Dorji Wangchuk and Ashi Kesang choden Wangchuck mainly to prevent all the ill lucks, bad fortune to the travelers who are traveling from this junction.
Also you may take a walk to the main city from Clock tower square for shopping. It provides an excellent opportunity to mingle with local people. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.
After breakfast you will be transferred to the following places:
Simply Bhutan - A Living Museum [Entry fee of 1000/- per person] – Simply Bhutan is a living museum which gives the tourists a taste of Bhutanese lifestyle. You get to dress up, distill arak, try your hand at archery – in short everything that the natives do. The museum has an inspiring program of engaging Bhutanese youth in the preservation of local culture, one of the four tenets of Gross Happiness Product that the Wangchuks and Bhutan itself has come to embody.
Kuensel Phodrang-Buddha Point – The statue was cast in bronze in China and transported by sea and road to this site once occupied by the palace of Druk Desi, a secular ruler of Bhutan in the eighteenth-century. At its completion, the statue will contain 125,000 gilded Buddha statues and a wealth of other statuary.
Royal Textile Academy & Museum - Intricately patterned wild silk kiras from Lhuentse hang alongside rough nettle fiber cloth from Zhemgang in Bhutan's excellent Royal Textile Academy. The museum, housed in an impressive modern building, celebrates the country's vibrant and varied tradition of hand weaving. From the towering applique thangka that overlooks the entrance hall and the sumptuous garments on display in the Royal Gallery to mannequins dressed in simple herders' clothing from Laya, the museum offers an unparalleled chance to learn about and appreciate this unique aspect of Bhutanese culture.
Handicrafts Market – An interesting market with local items and bargain price handicraft goods.
Later in the evening, proceed to visit Tashichoe Dzong (outer view) (Fortress of Glorious Religion). [Entry fee of 500/- per person - if guests want to enter inside]
Folk Heritage Museum [Entry fee 300/- per person] - The Folk Heritage Museum, located on the outskirts of Thimphu, recreates a traditional Bhutanese family home inside a beautiful 19th century rammed earth and timber building. Here, the family's prized possessions are on display: shiny wooden bowls line the kitchen shelves, richly patterned fabrics hang alongside aged leopard fur bags in the room next door, and gold glints from thangkas hang in the family's altar room.
Takin Reserve & Mini Zoo [Entry fee 300/- per person] - Add to Wish List Hidden in a fold of the forest-draped hills high above Thimphu, a herd of takin make their home in the Motithang Takin Preserve. Formerly a small zoo, the king decreed that the animals should be freed rather than kept in captivity. However, instead of wandering deeper into the hills, the tame takin took to the streets of Thimphu, where they became a traffic hazard as they foraged for food.
Later, drive to Sangaygang view point (2685 meters) to have a view of the whole Thimphu valley and walk through hundreds of colourful prayer flags that dot the hill overlooking the valley.
Later, return to the hotel. Overnight at a hotel in Thimphu.
En-route visit DochuLa - A mountain pass leading further into the Punakha Valley. It offers a stunning 360 degree panoramic view of Eastern Himalayan mountain ranges. The view is especially scenic on clear, winter days with snowcapped mountains forming a majestic backdrop to the tranquility of the 108 chortens gracing the mountain pass.
Later visit below places:
Punakha Dzong [Entry fee of 500/- per person]: Also known as "the palace of great happiness", Punakha Dzong is located at the confluence of the Pho Chhu (father) and Mo Chhu (mother) rivers in the Punakha–Wangdue valley. This Dzong is the most picturesque of all Bhutan ancient fortresses and it joins the mainland by an arched wooden bridge that contains many precious relics from the days when successive kings reigned the Kingdom from this Punakha valley.
Suspension Bridge - This hidden treasure in the Punakha Valley connects the rest of the valley to the old administrative center of Punakha Dzongkhag. The whole deck is covered with prayer flags and provides a perfect spot for bird watching and photography.
You may do the river rafting at an optional cost [Approx cost INR 10,000/- to 12,000/- per boat - Capacity : 08 pax in 01 boat]
Check into the Hotel. Rest day in leisure. Overnight at a hotel in Punakha.
After breakfast, check out of the hotel & later drive back to Paro, follow the way back up the dramatic Wang Chhu and ParoChhu river valleys, before crossing through Paro Town towards the north end of the valley. Later you do the below local sightseeing at Paro.
Paro Airport View: This is one of the most stunning airports in the World and also the country’s first and only international airport. With a breathtaking view, this airport became a must-visit place in Paro.
National Museum of Bhutan: An ancient watchtower that now displays hundreds of ancient Bhutanese artifacts and artwork including traditional costumes, armor, weaponry, and handcrafted implements for daily life. The collections represent the rich cultural traditions of the country.
Ta Dzong [Entry fee of 500/- per person], originally built as Watchtower, which now houses the National Museum. The extensive collection includes antique thangkha paintings, textiles, weapons & armour, household objects and a rich assortment of natural and historic artifacts.
Then walk down the trail to visit RinpungDzong, meaning (“fortress of the heap of jewels”), which has a long and fascinating history. Along the wooden galleries lining the inner courtyard are fine wall paintings illustrating Buddhist lore such as four friends, the old man of long life, the wheel of life, scenes from the life of Milarepa, Mount. Sumeru and other cosmic mandalas.
Later visit Paro Market to buy souvenirs for your family & friends. You may do the photo session with the Bhutanese traditional attire at the river bank of Paro at your own cost. Overnight stay at the hotel in Paro.
Tiger nest hiking [Entry fee of 1000/- per person] - After breakfast proceed to Taktsang Monastery - 'World Heritage site' trekking. It requires a 3 hours hike to reach the Monastery and 2 hours to come down to the base point. Ponies are available for hire till the cafeteria while going. Overnight at a hotel in Paro.
Breakfast at the hotel. Later check out of the hotel & proceed to Phuentsholing.
On the way back visit Tachog Lhakhang [Entry fee of 500/- per person]: Tachog (also referred as Tashog or Tamchhog) Lhakhang is small private temple and traditional suspension bridge located some 15 km on the way from Paro town to Thimphu. It was built in the 16th century by Tibetan saint Thangton Gampo (also referred as Thang Tong Gyalpo). Check-in at hotel and rest of the day in leisure. Overnight at a hotel in Phuentsholing.
After breakfast transfer to the airport. Our escort will bid you farewell.
Note: If guests want to visit Chelela Pass, they can visit the same instead of Tiger Nest Trekking. Vehicle cost will be additional for Chelela.
Amount needs to be carried by the guests in cash INR at the immigration point to get the visa on arrival. SDF Required for 05 nights, for Phuentsholing stay there will not be any SDF.
Inclusions
- 2-night stay in Phuentsholing.
- Sightseeing in Gedu Town, Waterfalls.
- En route sightseeing in Tachog Lhakhang.
- 2 Night stay in Thimpu
- Sightseeing in Rigsum Gompo, Tibetan type of stupa and Bhutanese style stupa.
- Sightseeing in Kuensel Phodrang-Buddha Point, Royal Textile Academy & Museum,Handicrafts Market, Folk Heritage Museum, Taking Reserve & Mini Zoo.
- 2 Night stay in Paro
- Sightseeing in National Museum of Bhutan, Ta Dzong
- Sightseeing on Tiger Nest Trekking.
- 1 Night stay in Punakha
- Sightseeing in Phunaka Valley, Punakha Dzong, Suspension Bridge.
- All hotel taxes.
Exclusions
- SDF of INR 1200 per person per night for travel to Bhutan
- 5 % GST on total invoice.
- Visa on arrival
- Travel Insurance
- Meals other than those specified above
- Personal expenses like portages, tips, laundry, mineral water
- Any activity not mentioned in the inclusions
- Air Fare, Railway Fare
Payment Policy
- If booking is 30 days in advance from the travel date: Advance of 15% of the package cost required
- If booking is between 30 days to 15 days in advance from the travel date: Advance of 30% of the package cost is required
- If travel is within 15 days of the travel date: We will require 100% payment.
Cancellation Policy
- If booking is 15 days before the travel date: 100% refund for Domestic Packages.
- if booking is 30 days before the travel date: 100% refund for International Packages.
- Between 30 days to 15 date before the travel date 10% of the total cost will be deducted on International Packages.
- Between 15 days to 1 Day before the travel date: 100% cancellation on Domestic & International Packages.